Fresno RIPA Data Project
Descriptive Analysis
Catalyst California
14 August, 2024
Before engaging in a detailed analysis of Fresno PD patrol activity as outlined in the research plan, we created this descriptive analysis to explore overall trends in the Fresno RIPA data. This helps us determine if our expected findings are likely to show up in the data and allows us to identify any trends we did not expect. We include basis tallies on each of the following:
Stops overview
Number and Rate of Officer-Initiated Stops vs. Calls for Service
In 2022, there were a total of 5,317 police stops made by Fresno PD. Of those stops, 5,028 were officer-initiated stops and 289 were calls for service.
In 2022, 94.6%_ of Fresno Police Department stops were officer initiated stops while only 5.4% of stops were calls for service.
Total number of people stopped
In 2022, Fresno PD stopped a total of 5,060 people through Officer-Initiated Stops.
Demographics
Race
Fresno PD mostly stops people they perceive Latinx during officer-initiated stops. Over half of people stopped during these encounters are Latinx. For reference, about 50.5% of Fresno City’s population is Latinx. As a comparison, 11.3% of people they stopped Fresno PD perceived as Black while the Fresno City’s population only comprises of 6.2% Black people.
Age
Individuals aged 25-34 experienced the highest numbers of officer-initiated stops by Fresno PD in the year 2022.
Gender
In 2022, people identified as men (males) accounted for nearly 57% of officer-initiated stops by Fresno PD.
Race by age
In all age groups except for 55-64 and 65 and older, Latinx individuals make up nearly 50% or more of the officer-initiated stops by Fresno PD. For reference, generally Latinx individuals make up 50.5% of the Fresno population. By comparison, Black individuals make up 6.2% of the Fresno population and SWANA/SA individuals 6.1%. In most age groups, Black individuals make up a higher percent of Fresno PD’s officer-initiated stops, beyond their general share of the Fresno population.
In 2022, White individuals within the age groups of 55-64 and 65 and older were the most frequently stopped during officer-initiated stops by Fresno PD. White individuals may make up a higher share of the population in these age groups in Fresno. Generally, White individuals make up 25.4% of the Fresno population.
Age by race and gender
In 2022, people perceived as men (males) were the most frequently stopped group across most age and race combinations. Latinx men ages 18-34, followed by Latinx women ages 25-34, had the highest number of stops by Fresno PD during officer-initiated stops.
In 2022, Latinx men ages 17 and under comprised more than 40% of people stopped under the age of 17. Similarly, Latinx men ages 18-24 made up about 37% of people stopped between the ages of 18-24.
Stop Reasons
Total counts and rates
The Fresno Police Department makes an overwhelming majority of their officer-initiated stops for traffic violations. In 2022, Over 99% of people stopped by Fresno PD officers were stopped due to a perceived traffic violation.
Reported Stop Reason | # of Stops | % of All Stops |
|---|---|---|
Traffic violation | 5,023 | 99.27% |
Reasonable suspicion | 21 | 0.42% |
Knowledge of outstanding arrest/wanted person | 9 | 0.18% |
Consensual encounter resulting in search | 4 | 0.08% |
Parole/probation/PRCS/ mandatory supervision | 3 | 0.06% |
Stop Results
Over-all stops by stop result out of all officer-initiated stops
Stop Results
Over-all stops by stop result out of all officer-initiated stops
Use of Force
Total count/rate out of all officer-initiated stops
Out of all officer-initiated stops made by Fresno PD in 2022, 99.7% of stops were indicated as having no instance of any use of force (5,043 total stops) while 0.33% of stops were indicated in the data as having instances of use of force (17 stops).
Use of force by stop reason
All officer-initiated incidents of use of force inflicted by Fresno PD in 2022 occurred during traffic stops.
By race / gender
Fresno PD disproportionately inflicted use of force towards people they perceived as Latinx men in 2022.
Field Interview (FI) Card
Total count/rate out of all officer-initiated stops
Just two stops by Fresno PD in 2022 resulted solely in a field interview card being completed.
Total count/rate by stop reason
Fresno PD only made four stops in 2022 that resulted in officers completing and filing a field interview card. All four of these stops were due to perceived traffic violations.
By race and gender
Of the five individuals that Fresno PD completed field interview cards for in 2022, four were identified by officers as Black or Latinx. Officers also identified three of these individuals as men and two as women.
Referral to US Department of Homeland Security ICE
Total count/rate out of all officer-initiated stops
Fresno PD reported that only one of their stops in 2022 resulted in a person being referred to ICE.
Total count/rate by stop reason
The one individual referred to ICE by Fresno PD in 2022 was stopped for a traffic violation.
By race and gender
The one individual referred to ICE by Fresno PD in 2022 was a Latino male.
Stops with a search that resulted in no contraband [RDA: lower prioritiy]
Total count/rate out of all officer-initiated stops
Traffic Stops
Traffic stops by type
Fresno PD made close to 4,000 traffic stops of moving vehicles in 2022, which represented more than three-quarters of their total stops for traffic violations.
Stop reasons within equipment/non-moving traffic stops
Over 50% of the non-moving or equipment-related traffic citations issued by Fresno PD in 2022 were for vehicles with obstructed windows or improper registration.
Traffic Violation | # of Times Cited | % of Total Equipment/Non-moving Traffic Violations |
|---|---|---|
Obstructed window/mirrors | 359 | 31.30% |
Unregistered vehicle | 292 | 25.46% |
License plates improperly displayed | 58 | 5.06% |
Unregistered vehicle in public parking facility | 57 | 4.97% |
Improper vehicle lighting | 54 | 4.71% |
Expired registration | 51 | 4.45% |
Inadequate mufflers | 40 | 3.49% |
Improper bicycle lighting | 39 | 3.40% |
License plate not illuminated | 24 | 2.09% |
Driving without headlights | 20 | 1.74% |
Traffic stops by result of stop
Across all three types of officer-initiated traffic stops (Equipment, Moving, Non-moving), a citation for infraction is the most common stop result, while a Warning verbal or written is within the top three most common stop results across all traffic stops.
Traffic citations as stop result
Offense Code | Offense Statute | Statute | Total | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
54106 | 22350 | UNSAFE SPEED:PREVAIL COND | 5,843 | 3,022 | 51.7 |
54571 | 26708(A)(1) | OPR VEH:WINDOW OBSTRUCTED | 5,843 | 414 | 7.1 |
54657 | 4000(A)(1) | NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 5,843 | 352 | 6.0 |
54107 | 12500(A) | DRIVE W/O LICENSE | 5,843 | 350 | 6.0 |
54566 | 23123(A) | USE CELLPH W/DRIV W/O HFD | 5,843 | 159 | 2.7 |
54655 | 23123.5(A) | NO HND HLD DEVICE W/DRIVE | 5,843 | 145 | 2.5 |
54101 | 16028(A) | FAIL PROVE FIN RSP:PO REQ | 5,843 | 128 | 2.2 |
Traffic stops that result in a citation for driving without a license
The Fresno Police Department only stopped 8 people in 2022 for driving without a license.
## count
## 1 8